Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Pandas Everywhere!: 'Kung Fu Panda 3' First Look

Right after unleashing a sneak peek of Disney Animation's Zootopia, USA Today has given us a look at Kung Fu Panda 3 earlier today, complete with stills!
As a lot of us already know, the plot involves Po finding the village where his father is from and where all the survivors of the panda genocide - caused by Kung Fu Panda 2 villain Lord Shen - live. However, the villainous Kai has defeated and taken the powers from other kung fu masters across China, so it's up to Po to train his village and save the world from this supernatural threat. It's definitely a huge-scale story, more than appropriate for the third installment in this already epic series.

Jack Black describes the character as a fun-loving type, but the synopsis says all the panda survivors are like that... And clumsy too!

Here's a look at some of the other villagers, including the panda cubs...

The panda cubs apparently will be show-stealers, going by the article and some of Jack Black's comments. Minions-esque critters, perhaps? It'll be interesting to see the secret panda village itself...

I'm still wondering who that closer-to-home villain will be. Earlier synopses mentioned this, but I'm beginning to reckon that a third act twist/reveal is likely...

Finally, here's Mei Mei (voiced by Rebel Wilson)...

We got some particular details on this character. She's described as an "overeager", "wannabe" ribbon dancer. The article specifically states that the tale won't turn out to be a panda love story, so I guess the whole arranged marriage thing from the earlier synopses is a no-go?

Perhaps the most interesting tidbit of the peek was the mention of Po's adoptive father Mr. Ping's side of the story, and how he'll be concerned over the father-son reunion. Black said "He feels very protective." The Kung Fu Panda films never shied away from more emotional beats and such, especially the sequel, so I'd imagine that will bring in some good drama and sadder bits...

Anyways, with USA Today posting this, I reckon the trailer will be out very soon. If not tomorrow... Inside Out is around the corner, and DreamWorks has nothing to release this summer or for the rest of the year (remember when B.O.O. was set for this past Friday?), so it's either that or Minions. A teaser/short film (not dissimilar to Home's "Almost Home" teaser/short) was made and shown at advance screenings of Home, but I haven't heard or seen anything since other than rumors of it debuting at Comic-Con next month.

I kind of doubt it'll debut this week or next week, as I didn't see the teaser get a classification on the Alberta Film Ratings website. Maybe next month then... Minions or Comic-Con, then. I'm betting on the former if a teaser doesn't arrive before Inside Out. What say you? What do you think of this first look? Are you excited for the third chapter in the Kung Fu Panda series? Sound off below!

Greetings, Programs!

Animation lover, aspiring writer/director of animated films, 60s and 70s music fan, collector of vinyl records, vintage Disney VHS aficionado and proud Aspie. Formerly known as Ostrumation92, also known as Imaxination1980.

Rights to the main text, personal photos and videos of Kyle's Animated World are held by the author, Kyle Ostrum (DeLuxODonnell92 / Imaxination1980 / animaspie92). All other images belong to their respective owners and are used under fair use.